Collectable objects

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a collectable container typically sold at sporting events. The container may be shaped like a baseball helmet, football helmet, soccer ball, basketball, or other sporting item. It has an image, preferably a lenticular image, of a team logo, picture or player, is typically filled with a beverage or a food, such as ice cream and sold at concession stands. These are designed so that fans may collect an entire set of images representing an entire team or league. During the excitement of the event, and due to the large crowds located in such tight spaces, it is common to have the container being roughly handled. The present invention employs either a recess which receives the image, or protective offsets which surround images on the container. The recess and/or offsets prevent scratching and physical contact with the image and protect the images from being placed in liquids, debris thereby damaging the image reducing the value of the collectable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to collectable objects such as containers forfoods and beverages, and more particularly, to collectable objects whichinclude collectable images.

2. Description of Related Art

In major and minor league sporting events it is common for concessionsto sell pictures and other memorabilia of the teams and their players.It is also common to sell items such as ice cream and beverages incollectable containers. Some of these items employ pictures or logos onthem.

These items are by nature and intention collectable and are intended tohave lasting value. As such, any change or enhancement to these itemswhich increases their durability is beneficial to the consumer. In thechaotic environment of sporting events it is possible for these items tobe thrown on the ground, kicked around and otherwise disturbed. Thesemay ruin the images or dislodge them from their bases and make thecollectables worthless.

Therefore, there is a current need for collectable objects which will beable to handle these adverse conditions while protecting the collectableimage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a collectable container for containinga food or beverage comprising:

-   -   a. an inner curved surface;    -   b. an outer curved surface;    -   c. at least one protective recess in the outer surface for        holding an image away from other objects;    -   d. an image placed in the outer surface recess, wherein the        recess is protected from coming in contact with objects, thereby        protecting the image.

The present invention may also be embodied as a solid object which mayor may not be a container. Together they may be referred to ascollectable objects.

The collectable objects preferably employs a lenticular image (alsocommonly know as ‘3-D’ or ‘holographic’ images) which may be a logorelating to any sporting or entertainment event, or an image of playersor other famous individuals.

The protective recess is sized and positioned to hold an image away froman adjacent surface which may have sharp protrusions, such that theprotrusions do not come in contact with or catch on an edge of thelenticular image. Therefore, the protective recess protects the imagefrom physical damage that may scratch, destroy or dislodge the image.

The container may be designed to resemble a miniature batting helmet,one half of a basketball, a soccer ball, or other object commonlyrecognized in sporting items.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the apparatus of the invention arehighlighted by the following description of some preferred embodimentsof same, illustrated by way of non-limiting examples in the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 a is an illustrative perspective view of a container consistentwith one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 b is a front elevational view of the container of FIG. 1 a.

FIG. 1 c is a plan view of one embodiment of the container of FIGS. 1 aand 1 b.

FIG. 2 is a side, elevational view of a cross section of the containerof FIGS. 1 a-1 c resting on its top side showing the protective inset ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side, elevational view of a cross section of the containerof FIGS. 1 a-1 c resting on its top side showing how the image isprotected.

FIG. 4 is a side, elevational view of a cross section of a secondembodiment of the container of FIGS. 1 a-1 c according to the presentinvention, resting on its top side showing protective offsets.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a collectable object being a soccer ballembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a collectable object being a footballembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention relates to collectable objects such as containerssold with foods and beverages at sporting or other entertainment events.The aspect of the container which makes it a collectable is the uniquelogo or picture attached to the object.

View dependent images which show two or more different pictures basedupon the observer's viewing angle or show a 3-dimentional image arereferred to as lenticular images. The lenticular images attached tothese collectables make them even more desirable.

If the image is destroyed or significantly damaged, the collectableobject has little collectable value.

As discussed above, many public events which collectable objects wouldbe sold are crowded and have a large amount of activity, due to theexcitement of the crowd. In these conditions, it is typical to have theimage on the collectable jostled, kicked and damaged.

The present invention is a collectable object designed to be moreresistant to contact damage of the images and is more resistant tohaving the adhesive-backed, lenticular image become pulled off anddislodged if the edge catches on the counters, tables and/or seats.

Referring now to the Figures, FIG. 1 a is an illustrative perspectiveview of a container 1 consistent with one embodiment of the presentinvention. Container 1 is also shown in a front elevational view in FIG.1 b, and in a plan view in FIG. 1 c.

Container 1 has walls 120 and a brim 110 shaped in the form of abaseball batting helmet. It is typically made of a plastic and may beused to hold ice cream or other foods.

In this embodiment, a picture 130 is attached to the surface 120 ofhelmet 1. Picture 130 is placed in a recess 133 with respect to asurrounding edge 131 which protrudes relative to recess 133. Recess 133and its variations may be referred to as ‘protective inset’.

Dotted lines indicate other sites where images may be attached, such assites 140, 150 and 160. These sites could be partially or fullyrecessed. Site 160 currently shows a New York Yankees logo.

Sites 140 and 150 and 160 are curved surfaces, whereas site 130 is aflat surface. In the case of curved surfaces, special view-dependentimages may be employed in which an entire image is viewed from a givenviewpoint.

Currently, view-dependent images are designed to be flat and all aspectsof the image are viewed simultaneously from substantially the sameincident angle.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial illustration of protective recess 133 ofthe present invention. Here, container 1 is shown resting upside downresting on a surface 3. A surface 120 holds container 1. The image 130is held in recess 131 up away from surface 3. Image 130 does notphysically touch, and is not scratched by surface 3.

FIG. 3 is a side, cross sectional view of container 1 positioned restingon its top side showing the original surface 131. Image 130 is placed inrecess 133 of wall 120. In this illustration an object 337 is moving inthe direction marked “A” toward image 130. Image 130 within recess 133is protected from object 337 hitting and dislodging or destroying image130.

FIG. 4 is a side, cross sectional view of another embodiment of thepresent invention showing container 1 positioned resting on its topside. In this embodiment, a lenticular image 130 is surrounded by raisedlip or surface 131. Surface 131 acts as a protective barrier preventingobjects from coming into contact with, and scratching or dislodgingimage 130.

FIG. 5 is a perspective illustration of another embodiment of thepresent invention. The present invention may be applied to other typesof collectable objects. Solid objects may be used which are sold duringevents as souvenirs. These are intended to be displayed as a trophy ormedal would be.

In this embodiment, a collectable object 1 is shaped like a soccer ball.Again, there is a recess 133 surrounded by an edge 131 in which image130 is positioned. The collectable object may then be taken home anddisplayed showing the lenticular image 133.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the present invention embodied as acollectable football 1 having a similar recess 133 surrounded by araised edge 131 having a lenticular image 130. This, like toe soccerball of FIG. 5, may have an opening to store items as a container.

Similarly, FIGS. 1-6 may resemble other hats, helmets, or objectsassociated with sporting or entertainment events, such as those forracing, football, etc. and still are within the scope of the presentinvention.

In an alternative embodiment, surface 133 may be built up to protrudeoutwardly in several areas surrounding image 130. These protrusionsprotect image 130 and may or may not be used with a recess. Thereforeimage 130 may be attached to a flush surface of the container 1 but beprotected by the surrounding raised surfaces.

Please note that even though the figures were shown and described forprotecting image 130, they may apply equally for other images, includingimages 140, 150, 160 of container 1.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired is to be protectedby a Utility Patent is presented in the appended claims.

1. A collectable container for containing a food or beverage comprising;a. an inner curved surface; b. an outer curved surface; c. at least oneprotective recess in the outer surface for holding an image away fromother objects; d. an image placed in the outer surface recess, whereinthe recess is protected from coming in contact with objects, therebyprotecting the image.
 2. The collectable container of claim 1 whereinthe image is a holographic image.
 3. The collectable container of claim1 wherein the image is an image of a logo.
 4. The collectable containerof claim 1 wherein the image is an image relating to a major leaguesports franchise.
 5. The collectable container of claim 1 wherein theimage is an image of a player.
 6. The collectable container of claim 1wherein the protective recess also protects the image from physicaldamage which may scratch, dislodge or destroy the image.
 7. Thecollectable container of claim 1 wherein the container is designed toresemble a baseball helmet.
 8. The collectable container of claim 1wherein the container is designed to resemble a soccer ball.
 9. Thecollectable container of claim 1 wherein the container is designed toresemble a basketball.
 10. The collectable container of claim 1 whereinthe container is designed to resemble a football.
 11. A collectablecontainer for containing a food or beverage comprising; a. an innercurved surface; b. an outer curved surface; c. at least one protectiveoffset on the outer surface for holding an image away from otherobjects; d. an image placed between the protective offsets on the outersurface, wherein the protective offsets protect the image from coming indirect contact with objects, thereby preserving the image.
 12. Thecollectable container of claim 11 wherein the protective offsets areseveral protrusions on the surface of the container.
 13. The collectablecontainer of claim 11 wherein the protective offsets are portions of aridge encircling the image.
 14. The collectable container of claim 11wherein the protective offsets comprise: a surface of the containerwhich surrounds at least a portion of a recess that receives the image.15. A collectable object comprising; a. an inner curved surface; b. anouter curved surface; c. at least one protective recess in the outersurface for holding an image away from other objects; d. an image placedin the outer surface recess, wherein the recess is protected from comingin contact with objects, thereby protecting the image.
 16. Thecollectable object of claim 1 wherein the image is a holographic image.17. The collectable object of claim 1 wherein the image is an image of alogo.
 18. The collectable object of claim 1 wherein the image is animage relating to a major league sports franchise.
 19. The collectableobject of claim 1 wherein the image is an image of a player.
 20. Thecollectable object of claim 1 wherein the protective recess alsoprotects the image from physical damage which may scratch, dislodge ordestroy the image.